The Sprout

The newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley

Issue 134 February 2019

The Sprout

The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley

Directors: Janet Bartlam, Judi Bolder, John Clements, Janet

Godden, Ag MacKeith, Robin Palmer

Editor

Ag MacKeith

South View House, Old Botley, OX2 0JR Tel: 724452 Editor@TheSprout.org.uk

Advertising Manager

Michael Cockman

50, St Paul's Crescent OX2 9AG Tel: 07766 317691 Adverts@TheSprout.org.uk

Deliveries

Bhee Bellew and Robin Cox

15 Seacourt Road, OX2 9LD Tel: 790648 Deliveries@TheSprout.org.uk

Copy Date: Copy by 15th of month preceding publication. Earlier submission is

welcome. Later contributions may have to be held over to the next issue.

Advertisements: If you have print-ready advertisements in the correct format the

last day for booking advertising is the 10th of the month preceding publication; in all

other circumstances more advance notice will be needed. For details about exact

sizes, quality requirements, advice on text and help with production, please contact

the Advertising Manager.

Advertising rates:

½ page: 1 issue £56; 3 issues £144; 5 issues £216; 10 issues £288

¼ page: 1 issue £28; 3 issues £72; 5 issues £108; 10 issues £144

1/8 page: 1 issue £14; 3 issues £36; 5 issues £ 54; 10 issues £72

Subscriptions: If you live outside North Hinksey Parish you can still receive The

Sprout on a regular basis. Just take out a postal subscription – only £10 per annum,

delivered to your door. Contact: Carol Kramer 01865 243002.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information printed in this

newsletter, mistakes may happen. The Editor and Team apologize unreservedly for

any errors that may occur and will do their best to correct them. This publication is not

a vehicle of the parish council, and parish councillors working with the Sprout do so in

a personal capacity. Opinions expressed are the opinions of the individual

contributors.

All concerned in the production and delivery of The Sprout are unpaid

volunteers.

The Sprout is printed on recycled paper by Dataprint Ltd, and

published by North Hinksey Parish Publications Ltd, (a company

limited by guarantee) Registration No. 05609535.

It can also be found online at BotleyHinksey.org.uk

The Sprout

Issue 134, February 2019

Contents

3 Xpressway – more resistance

7 Botley Arts

9 A Job Well Done

13 Brownies Get Around

15 Janet Wright

19 Planning Apps

21 Medical Practice PPG

25 A different take on Xmas

29 Flood Alleviation Scheme

34 CAB Sales talk

35 WWCC update

39 Randoms

43 Local Organizations

From the Editor

Moving into 2019, Botley is still a building site, and likely to get worse:

the proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme (p29), the appalling Oxford–

Cambridge Expressway – unwanted, unneeded and attracting widespread

opposition (p3), and the on-going Shopping Centre redevelopment (p35).

Local shops are in need of our support – the Botley Barber just phoned to

say he’s offering 20% discount on children’s hair cuts for the month of

February, in the hope of bringing custom back to Elms Parade. Mace

have put round a plan showing the layout of the new central square. You

have to wonder what led them to call it ‘Westway Place’ – not just

because the road’s name is West Way, but because of the potential for

confusion with the Westgate Centre and Westminster Way. Why not give

it a name that puts an end to the Botley/North Hinksey muddle once and

for all, and tells the world this is Botley? Botley Place, perhaps, or Botley

Square. Are you reviewing your New Year’s resolutions? The account

(p25) of an unusual Christmas Day gives food for thought. Did you

resolve to live a healthier life? Make a start by going to Dr MacEwan’s

healthy life talk on 6th February (p23). And then why not sign up for the

Big Spring Clean on the first weekend in March (p41) or join the Oxford

Conservation volunteers who have done such a great job of clearing the

community orchard (p9). Or make 2019 the year you finally took on that

Allotment (p41). So much to do, so little time!

P.S. If you’re wondering about the cover photo, it comes from the Fire

Service warning about chimney fires on p39. Ag MacKeith

Expressway, No Way! Keep up the pressure!

The Oxford-Cambridge Expressway continues to threaten Botley with its

unwanted presence. While the possible routes are not due to be

announced until the autumn, it is pretty clear that there will be broadly

two choices for where the new road goes near Oxford: one would be

south of the city (possibly cutting across from the M40 to the A34 in the

Garsington area); the other would go north and then west of the city,

close to the A34.

This western route has dire implications for Botley, Wytham and South

Hinksey. The arguments against it have been made repeatedly and

include loss of housing, damage to the Commonwealth War Graves

cemetery, noise, air pollution and more. It’s hard to believe it is still on

the table and, what is more, some villages south of the city are actively

promoting the A34 as the route! A second western possibility, coming

down the A34 to the Botley roundabout, up the A420 towards Wootton,

and then cutting down to join the A34 also has many drawbacks.

The leader of the County Council continues to promote the Expressway

as a way to ‘sort out the A34’. The idea that to ‘sort out’ ten miles of

rush hour congestion around our city we need to develop a road from

Oxford to Cambridge would be laughable were it not coming from a

politician with some significant influence on our future. For over 30

years, empirical studies and official reports have agreed on the ‘rather

inconvenient truth’ that new roads create more traffic. A better solution

would be to use new forms of traffic management such as the variable

speed limits used on the M25 which help keep traffic moving.

Extra traffic will certainly be generated from new car-based housing

developments, and all of this will add to traffic and congestion on local

roads. The Expressway is all about opening up more land for housing.

The Government’s target is for 1 million new homes along the route –

that’s equivalent to two cities the size of Liverpool. It’s hard to see how

that will ‘sort out’ congestion. Car-dependent settlements along this

route will do nothing to meet the need for genuinely low-cost housing in

employment centres such as Oxford.

These inflated housing figures are being challenged, as is the need for

the Expressway. Some limited road improvements may be called for,

especially around Milton Keynes. And there are alternatives. The

Oxford–Cambridge rail link is moving ahead far too slowly – is the roads

lobby scared that much-improved public transport on this route will

destroy their case for a ‘motorway-in-all-but-name’? Any rational

transport planner would begin by building the rail link, assessing its

impact and only then consider whether to invest £4bn or more in new

roads. Improved rail links and increased capacity between Oxford and

Didcot could also offer ‘metro-rail’ possibilities, linking employment

centres from Milton Park and Didcot with Kidlington and Bicester.

We still have some months to make a strong case against this ridiculous

proposal. Our MP, Layla Moran, is raising concerns in Parliament, and

increasing numbers of county councillors of all political hues are getting

worried. We need to make this issue completely toxic to all our

politicians and this means lobbying them in no uncertain terms.

This development is being proposed just as governments across the

world start to acknowledge the need for urgent action on climate

change. Central to that will be a shift to low- or zero-carbon transport

systems over the next decade. We need new and innovative responses

to these challenges, not a solution that harks back to the 1970s.

The No Expressway Alliance is linking more and more groups and

communities across the county in saying NO to the very idea. Your

support would be very welcome as well – sign up at

www.noexpresswayalliance.org Chris Church

Botley Arts: Emmett Casley

There’s a new show coming up

at Ss Peter and Paul’s church.

The artist is Emmett Casley,

(emmettcasley@gmail.com) of 5

Crabtree Road. Here’s what he

has to say about his work:

“I’m a linocut printmaker, working

in Oxford. Initially trained in

three-dimensional design, I have

worked within graphic & software

design/illustration, then moved

into exterior & landscape design

over the last decade. My more

recent outdoor work utilised

architectural steel forms and

structures, and is influenced by

modern architecture and large-

scale minimalist sculpture.

In my printmaking, I try to

explore architecture within our everyday environment. I’m inspired by

bold architectural forms and detail, finding these not only in larger more

obvious structures, but also in the details within the mundane, everyday.

Many buildings and places are more obviously designed to capture our

attention, but there are details on some buildings and structures that

otherwise blend into the background. Our daily backdrops have bold

forms, details that someone, sometime, slaved over, that become

interesting to me when isolated. I’m attracted to strong geometry, large

manmade forms, the interaction between these structures and their

environment, the way larger civil engineering works sit within our

landscape and merge into it.

… Or it’s just some linocuts that feature a lot of buildings. I don’t like

writing these things. Come and have a look though!”

This powerful exhibition will be on show from February 11th to April 26th

at St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Botley. The exhibition is free, and is

available for viewing during church opening hours.

Jennie Hopkins, Chair Botley Arts

Job well done!

January 7th was a good day for the Community Orchard and the Nature

Reserve. It was pretty grey and drab, weather-wise, but that didn’t put

off the 20 or so Oxford Conservation Volunteers. From 10am they were

there, sawing, hacking, raking and burning in a full frontal mission to

return the neglected areas to a better state.

North Hinksey Parish Council has the responsibility of keeping the ditch

along the bottom clear, so that it doesn’t make things worse when there

are floods, but our contractor hadn’t been able to get near it because it

was so overgrown with rank brambles, nettles and coarse growth. Once

OCV had cleared the banks, however, we were able to get a good look

at it and see just what was involved.

The ditch doesn’t seem to be a

stream – all the water in it seems to

come from a fat overflow pipe near

the end of the bridge leading from

Minns Estate car park. It’s hard to

know what the overflow is draining

– it seems unlikely to be the A34,

since the cemetery is in the way. If

anyone has information on this, I’d

be glad to have it. The part to the

left of the bridge as you go in is just

a silty backwater, hemmed in by a

wall of sandbags. As the ditch

passes the back of the pond, it

seems to acquire a hint of a

current, though it’s hard to see why.

At the far end it continues behind

Tudor House and presumably makes its way into the river. This bottom

corner is the point where Kevin Minns proposes to install a footbridge

and to improve the path running along the fence at the southern edge of

the nature reserve. The Parish Council has welcomed his proposal

since it brings a treble benefit – it makes a simple and accessible

escape route in time of flood for the flats he proposes to build behind his

offices; it will open up the back end of the nature reserve a bit, which

was becoming impenetrable as the undergrowth filled out underneath

our planting; and he has offered

a sum to help us get the Memorial Garden into better shape than it is

now – which can only be good! It’s not going to be anything more than a

footpath, so won’t look very different from the way it does now, just a bit

tidier. The photo shows the result of their efforts at the ditch – it’s not

looking very inspiring yet, but in future we will cut back the banks more

often, so that the delicate plants get a chance to flourish instead of

being crowded out by the bullies.

The main part of the work was to reduce the willows shading the pond.

These were duly pollarded, and the stands of tall hazel and alder that

had taken root nearby were thinned and the brash burnt on site. A few

locals came and helped things along (mental note: put this on the PC

website next time, so

that more people

know about it) but

most of the work was

done by the sturdy

team of volunteers.

I came back with cake

and more thanks later

on, and was

reassured that this

was their favourite

way of spending a

winter Sunday. You could see why – I wish I’d taken a photo before they

started, but you just have to believe that the orderly scene they left

behind them at 4pm as darkness fell, was in real contrast to what they’d

found. Not only was the pond tidied and readied for the Spring, but

there is a huge pile of ash to be taken away by anyone who can use it in

their garden or allotment plot. There is also a pile of long logs – mainly

hazel – to be taken away and used for fires or building projects, while

the team were able to create stakes and binding whips to use on their

next hedge-laying project. What’s more, it turns out that they really love

to scythe. This is the ideal way to cut back the wildflower meadow, and

we have been trying to find someone to take it on for a long time. OCV

will gladly come back and do it at the end of July – good news all round!

So I’ll end this account with three hearty cheers for the Oxford

Community Volunteers!

Ag MacKeith, chair, NHPC Allotments Committee

Brownies Get Around

After our trip to the panto (see photo)

where the classic story of Dick

Whittington was turned on its head,

the consensus of opinion was that the

stripey Cat that Jack met in London

stole the show with his sinuous

moves. We finished off our Christmas

preparations by each making lanterns

and two different decorations: using

ice lolly sticks and tiny pom-poms to

make miniature hanging trees plus

monkey nut shells (after we’d opened

and eaten the peanuts) to make

reindeer labels. Then for Christmas each Brownie received a shiny new

Brownie badge book so that we are all on board for the new

programme.

Our new year’s resolution was to

finish off a badge which we had

started before we participated in

Parliament Week. This was part of

the UK Parliament's Vote 100

programme, which celebrated 100

years since the first women got

the vote. There was much to

learn, from how to cast a vote

(see photo), to how MPs are

elected, to how to control the House of Commons (“Order! Order!”) The

woven badge was pretty extraordinary too. Therefore, our first week

back in 2019 saw us polishing shoes and finally being awarded the

earlier-started Brownie Skills badge.

We have lots of plans for the coming year, for example, going to the

cinema to see “Mary Poppins Returns” – despite being founded in 1972

we believe that this will be a first for our unit. Unusually for us, we do

have some spaces for new girls so if you have enjoyed reading about

us and would like your daughter/grand-daughter/niece to join an active

Brownie Unit here on Elms Rise (none of the Botley Road evening rush-

hour traffic for us!) you can find us at 2ndbotleybrownies@outlook.com.

We look forward to hearing from you. Lucy Howes

In loving memory of

Janet Anne Wright

“Jan” was a long- time resident of

Botley, living the majority of her life

in Seacourt Road, mostly in the

family home bought by her parents

Margery and “Manny” Pancott in

1935. When she was a young child

the family moved to Rosyth in

Scotland as her father, an able

seaman with the Royal Navy who

had been injured whilst on active

duty in the war, was offered a

gardener’s job at the Admiral’s

house. Her mother became the

house keeper. Jan started her

primary education in Scotland but

on returning to Botley attended the

local school. When she was eleven

she passed the 11+ exam and

gained a place at The Elms

Grammar School for Girls in Faringdon. At the age of 12 she tragically

lost her beloved Mum and took over the running of the home and

supported her heartbroken Dad while she carried on with her

schoolwork. It was a very difficult time for them both, but they were

helped immensely by their close friends and neighbours in Botley. On

leaving grammar school she was offered a hairdressing apprenticeship

at “Strange’s” in Market Street in Oxford.

She was married at 21, moved to Farmoor and three years later

welcomed her only daughter Nina. Sadly, the marriage didn’t last, and

Jan and Nina moved back to the family home in Seacourt Road to live

with Manny. At that time she bought the hairdressing business on West

Way “Jayson’s” which she ran for over 30 years.

Hairdressing was her passion, she loved the connection with her clients,

not just by making them look “glamorous” but also by listening to their

personal stories, sharing their troubles and offering words of comfort

and support. This special quality is something she shared throughout

her life

with everyone whose lives she touched, and she was a great friend and

confidante to so many.

After losing her Dad, she went on to marry Terry, her soulmate, with

whom she shared nearly 30 happy years until his passing in 2015.

During this time, she also welcomed her 2 grandchildren Sam and Ellie,

whom she adored, and the whole family shared many special times

together, including annual holidays in Cornwall.

Jan was continuously striving to expand her knowledge and

understanding of many things: she was an active member of the

congregation at St Peter and St Paul’s church, a student of philosophy

in Oxford and the centre of her family’s life.

She was a loving, caring, supportive Mum, Granny and friend, with an

amazing sense of humour and love of life. She will be sadly missed by

Nina, Alan, Sam and Ellie but leaves behind a special legacy that they

will carry within them forever.

Nina Baker

LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS

P18/V2743/HH

30 Poplar Rd. Single storey side/rear

extension.

13 November

P18/V2765/HH

30 Montagu Rd. Single storey ground

floor extension.

16 November

P18/V2893/LDP

28 Laburnam Rd. Room in roof-space

with rear dormer and gable build up.

26 November

P18/V2968/FUL

Field End Harcourt Hill. Demolition of

existing buildings. Erection of 2

dwellings and external works.

3 Dec Target

Decision Date:

28 Jan

P18/V2772/PDH

24 Stanley Close. Single storey rear

extension. Depth 6m Height 2.85m.

4 Dec TDD:

15 Jan

P18/V2930/HH

29 Montagu Rd. Demolish conservatory

& garage, add additional 2nd storey to

side, add rear single storey extension.

7 Dec

TDD: 1 Feb

P18/V2700/FUL

22 Eynsham Rd. Amended plans.

Replace rear extension with 3 x 2 bed

houses. Convert original building to 2 x

2 bed flats. All with gardens & parking.

13 Dec

TDD: 7 Feb

P18/V3079/HH

8 Hazel Rd. Single storey rear

extension & conservatory.

14 Dec

TDD: 8 Feb

P18/V3072/HH

27 Cedar Rd. Single storey rear

extension.

17 Dec

TDD: 11 Feb

P18/V3102/CM

North of A420 Botley Road to south of

A423 ring road. Flood alleviation

scheme to reduce flood risk in Oxford.

(Further Environmental Information and

Amendments to Planning Application

P18/V1179/CM).

18 Dec

P19/V0032/HH

47 Crabtree Rd. Erection of factory

manufactured, detached, single storey,

timber frame, garden annexe.

2 January

TDD: 27 Feb

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Strange times we live in

I wanted to make an adjustment to my doorstep milk delivery, which

comes from Milk & More at Towles Mill, just by Redbridge recycling

place. So I rang them up. Imagine my surprise to find myself talking to

someone in the Philippines!! I’ve gone back to writing the milkman a

note and leaving it out with the bottles. It feels safer, somehow AgM

From the Patients Participation Group

Your Community Needs You

– and so does your local surgery

Given the size of the problem of loneliness, you may not be surprised to

hear that the government launched a ‘LONELINESS STRATEGY’ in

October last year. Loneliness is linked to many damaging health

impacts, like heart disease, stroke and depression – to name just a few.

One of the strategies being used is ‘social prescribing’. The idea is to

enable health care professionals to direct patients towards support that

will improve their wellbeing. We at Botley and Kennington would like to

be involved in this.

First of all, we would like to thank all those volunteers who are already

engaging with the community and helping those in need. For others who

may not yet be involved, we would like to invite you to join us!

How can you help?

1. With visiting and supporting people who may be housebound or

lonely.

2. With transporting patients to the surgery (this has become more

important now because of the 2 locations of the GP surgeries) or to

the hospital.

3. With facilitating coffee gatherings

4. With using your gardening skills to tend the surgery surroundings, or

even provide flowers from your gardens to brighten up the surgery.

How can this be facilitated?

OXFED, Oxford Federation of General Practice and Primary Care, a

not-for-profit health organisation providing NHS services for the

residents of Oxford City, have organised training for people who would

like to be a volunteer.

This training is needed because of the intricacy of healthcare, especially

regarding confidentiality as well as safety-netting for both the volunteers

and the person being seen.

If you would like to be involved please contact the PPG secretary

Canon Dr Chris Sugden on csugden@ocrpl.org!or! 07808! 297043! or!

leave a message for Dr Akinola at the surgery. Alternatively, you may

like to contact OXFED directly via their website

https://www.oxfed.uk/contact-us Or you can telephone them on

(01865) 223900.

The good news is that it is not only the person that is helped who gets

the benefit, the volunteers also benefit from the effects of helping

others.

Chris Sugden

And on a separate matter:

Health Talk: Cancer – Reduce your risk

Most of us will know someone with cancer – hardly surprising as cancer

is very common. Almost 1000 people a day were diagnosed with cancer

in 2015, and this number is predicted to increase significantly over the

next few years. One in two people born after 1960 in the UK will be

diagnosed with some sort of cancer during their life.

There are many different types of cancer, with breast, prostate and lung

cancer accounting for over half of the UK’s new cancer cases every

year.It is a myth that cancer is solely down to bad luck, genes or fate.

There are things that you can do right now to reduce your risk of

developing it.

• Vaccinations can prevent infections which are known to increase the

cancer risk, such as Human papilloma virus, which is responsible for

genital warts, which can cause cervical cancer.

• Screening programmes can detect cancer at an early stage, and

some can prevent cancer from developing in the first instance.

• A key message for cancer prevention is to adopt a healthy lifestyle:

healthy weight and diet, sufficient physical activity, not smoking, sun

protection and breastfeeding.

But what does a ‘healthy lifestyle actually entail? If you would like to

find out more, please join me at Kennington Village Hall on 6th February

at 7.30, for the first of a series of health talks arranged by Botley and

Kennington Medical Centre and the Patient Participation Group.

Dr Diana McEwan

Towards a Healthy Lifestyle?

Get the children /grandchildren out for a day in the fresh air over half

term. On 21st Feb BBOWT are running a Winter Bird Event at Raleigh

Park, 10am to 2pm (FREE). Bird activity trail and nature-themed games.

More info from Andy at andygunn@bbowt.org.uk or phone 01865

775476

A different take on the Time of Giving

In November of last year, I attended

a memorial service for Eleanor

Bolton, known by many as ”The

Botley Bag Lady”. She was loved

and respected by many, but

misunderstood and disparaged by

others.

Her way of life, choosing to wear

rags and living off scraps in cold,

damp fields, was guided by her

belief, in her own words, that “I

should not want to be taking what I

see as more than my share. I think there has to be a balance between

what you are taking and what you are doing.” In a mediaeval world she

would have been recognized as an anchorite, rejecting the physical

world because of her faith. In the modern world she was seen as just a

tramp.

Christmas has been sold to us as “a time of giving”, but it is mostly

about getting. Getting more

presents. Getting expensive

presents. Getting into debt.

Getting a massive hang-over.

Followed by guilt and a list of New

Year resolutions never to do it

again. Until next year.

There is an alternative. My

daughter’s partner, a professional

chef, gave up his day to help cook

Christmas lunch for the homeless

at the King’s Centre in Botley. 650

people went away happy and well

fed. This pattern was repeated in

soup kitchens and community

centres all across Britain. Others

gave their time to visit old people

trapped and socially isolated in

their own homes. It does not

matter how it was expressed, as long as it was giving, rather than

getting.

Bob and I ate our traditional Christmas lunch of beans on toast (out of

solidarity with those who cannot afford anything else), and then donned

warm clothing and hi-viz jackets. While most of the neighbourhood were

at home tucking into their turkey, we took advantage of the empty roads

to clear the accumulated litter from the wooded embankment that

separates the A34 from Westminster Way. In a couple of hours, we

removed 16 kg of rubbish. More than half of it was easily recyclable

bottles and cans. This was not rubbish which had blown there in the

wind. but stuff which had been deliberately tossed up onto the slope by

individuals determined to make other people’s lives more ugly.

Eleanor would have recognized our time spent as worthwhile. She was

never seen without her many carrier bags in which she collected other

people’s rubbish. Only in that sense a taker rather a giver.

Linda Losito

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Flood Scheme – the EA tells us how and why

The Sprout has been reporting on the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme

for as long as there has been something to report, aiming to give a

voice to all concerned. Below is the latest from the Environment

Agency, seeking to reassure us that the huge disruption will be worth

the pain. There is now organized resistance from ‘Hinksey & Osney

Environment Group campaigning to modify the OAS’. Their latest,

strongly worded, press release urges the agencies involved to postpone

any action till they have dredged the streams and rivers and given

floodwater a chance show whether it can be accommodated by existing

channels.

But the project seems to be going ahead regardless. An eye-watering

extra £30,000,000 has been found, and a start has been made on

‘extinguishing’ sections of footpath in S Hinksey (alternative paths are

provided). Willow Walk and the ancient Monk’s Causeway will be much

affected – gaining bridges and losing a lot of trees.

!As many residents will know, the Environment Agency are working on a

proposed new flood scheme for Oxford. We have carefully modelled

and designed a scheme that will reduce flood risk in Oxford for the next

100 years, taking climate change projections into account. The scheme

will reduce flood risk to all properties in Oxford currently at risk of

flooding from the River Thames. It will also reduce flood risk to the

railway and roads, benefiting everyone who lives, works in or visits the

city. Our planning application is now before Oxfordshire County Council

and we are hoping for a final planning decision later this Spring.

The scheme will run from just north of the Botley Road, down to south of

the A423 near Kennington. We have taken a great deal of care in

ensuring the design for the scheme is as natural as possible and will fit

with the existing landscape. We will dig out material to create a natural

looking stream which will always carry water, and a wider shallower

area to the side of this, which will be planted with vegetation and only

carry water in times of higher flows. This ‘two-stage channel’ will create

more space for water away from built-up areas, reducing flood risk in

the city whilst fitting with the existing landscape.

In addition to reducing flood risk, our aim is for the scheme to deliver a

long term green legacy, which includes creating new habitat, increasing

biodiversity, and improving the experience of recreation in the area for

generations to come. If the scheme is approved we believe it will help to

safeguard the Green Belt in this area, as it will remain as a functioning

flood alleviation scheme for at least the next 100 years. This will help to

maintain and preserve the openness of this part of the Green Belt. We

are working on a long term maintenance plan for the next 100 years,

which will ensure the scheme not only remains as a functioning flood

scheme but continues to see environmental benefits well into the future.

Willow Walk

As part of the scheme, we will be building new bridges where they are

Artist"s impression of Willow Walk bridge, 15 years after construction

needed to keep access across the new two-stage channel. These will

include a footbridge at North Hinksey and two larger bridges that can

carry occasional maintenance vehicles at Willow Walk and the Devil’s

Backbone. The new bridge at Willow Walk will replace the existing

culverts and their metal railings. It will continue from the existing track,

just raised slightly higher.

We listened to concerns from the community about what the Willow

Walk bridge will look like and how it will be used. We have produced

some artist impressions of the bridge and can reassure people that it

will be suitable for horses and conforms to British Horse Society

standards. We’ve also confirmed that the bridge will not be turned into a

road, although it will be used for occasional maintenance access.

During normal conditions the

existing Seacourt stream will be the first stage channel in the Hinksey

Meadow area and the wider second stage channel will be vegetation.

Only during times of higher flows will water enter the second stage.

Tree planting proposals

2000 trees will need to be felled during construction. To mitigate this, we

will be planting 4,325 trees. Approximately 15,000 smaller tree species,

such as hawthorn, hazel and elder, will also be planted, along with

many more native shrubs such as dogwood, goat willow, dog rose and

wild privet. The tree-planting proposals will result in more woodland

within the scheme area after completion than there is at present. These

woodland areas will be managed for wildlife and will include glades

sown with wildflowers to encourage butterflies and other insects, as well

as birds and foraging bats.

The replacement woodland trees will be saplings and it will be many

years before they have the same ecological value as those being felled,

so throughout the design process, our contractors, engineers and

ecologists have worked together to minimise tree loss wherever

possible. Once a contractor has been appointed we will work with them

to further minimise losses of mature trees wherever possible.

We continue to listen to and talk with all interested residents and groups

about the scheme, and are passionate that the scheme we’ve designed

is the best option to protect Oxford from the devastation floods will

cause in the long term.

Flood Risk

In times of dry weather it may be easy to forget that Oxford floods.

However, for those who experienced the floods of 2003, 2007 or 2013/

2014, the disruption and devastation will be memorable. Flooding is

more likely during winter and we encourage people to find out if they

could be affected by searching here: https://flood-warning-

information.service.gov. uk/ long-term-flood-risk This site also offers

advice, or you can call the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.”

Find out more

To get regular newsletter updates about the scheme please sign up by

emailing oxfordscheme@environment-agency.gov.uk You can also

Environment Agency, leading on Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme

CAB Sales helpline

Did you go to the January sales? It’s that

time when, to the tired shopper, it seems

as if the whole country is mobilised in

some civil emergency, pouring along the

pavements, off buses and into the shops

in search of reduced goods. And

inevitably everyone else is in competition

with you as you swing your loaded

shopping bags through the driving snow,

pushing the melting slush with your

boots, weariedly schlepping from one

shop to another, trying to beat closing

time, longing for cappuccino… does it sound familiar?

But although the seasonal ordeal might be draining all your energy and

enthusiasm, you can still shop with confidence, knowing that the

Citizens Advice helpline is there to help you if you have a consumer

problem – if you need to return faulty goods, if you’ve bought something

fake or counterfeit, or if something you’ve ordered hasn’t arrived.

The Citizens Advice consumer helpline (03454 040506) is open Monday

to Friday 9–5 (closed bank holidays). Advisers will answer your call,

explaining how you can pursue your claim. They cannot make a

complaint or take legal action on your behalf but they can give you

practical and impartial advice, explain the law which applies to your

situation, and also pass complaints to Trading Standards for you.

Before you call the helpline, prepare by jotting down the factual details

of your problem, such as when you paid for the item or service; how

much you paid; how you paid; the seller's name and address; and what

you have done so far to resolve the issue.

Citizens Advice can also be contacted in person

during opening hours or on Adviceline (03 444

111444). Our local office is in St Aldates (see

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/oxfordshire-south-

vale for opening hours)

West Way Community Concern update

Our best wishes for 2019 from all the members of the WWCC

committee.

Construction site update

The construction site was closed over the Christmas and New Year

holiday, but work started up again on 7th January.

The straight-through pedestrian walkway from Arthray Road was open

from 21st December, although we must use the previous walkway

around the site perimeter during construction hours until the

underground services below the straight-through route are completed.

After that the new walkway, with wired-in lighting, should be in place for

the rest of the construction period.

We have asked the developer what they can do about the way lighting

on the site is affecting houses on Arthray Road, and they have agreed

to see if they can reduce the problem.

The disabled toilet by the Chancellors Cabin is locked when the shops

are closed. The developer has agreed to look into the use of a RADAR

key, which would enable 24/7 access.

There has been positive feedback

from residents about SDC and their

swift response to problems. Don’t

forget that for any urgent questions

you can contact SDC’s Liaison

Officer Peter Sandercock on 01234

264 332

WWCC AGM

We thank all of you who attended our

AGM in November. Stephen

Parkinson was re-appointed as

Secretary. Mary Gill continues as

Chair and John Clements as

Treasurer. Lorna Berrett, Caroline

Potter and Grant Nightingale are also

members of the committee.

As well as the formal business of the

AGM, we had a general discussion on the development and on wider

issues affecting our community. It was noted that construction workers

were, in general, using the Park and Ride, but that on-street parking by

workers and commuters continues to be a problem. The temporary

pedestrian route to Arthray Road was causing safety concerns at the

time but this is now resolved. Lighting and noise from generators is a

nuisance to residents of Arthray Road. We questioned why the

development was called ‘Westway Place’, while the road is named

‘West Way’, and have raised this with Mace, who own the site.

Planning application

In December 2017, Mace submitted an application P17/V3298/FUL to

make changes to the plans which were approved in 2016. Following a

couple of rounds of public consultation last spring, it was approved by

the Vale’s Planning Committee in May 2018. The formal approval notice

for the application has now been issued. Most of the approvals of the

conditions from the earlier planning consent which have been

discharged will apply to these new plans. Other conditions still need

formal approval; notably the landscaping, cycle parking and the external

lighting (i.e. in the car-park).

We will continue to monitor the conditions as they are discharged, and

bring any concerns to the attention of the planning officers and our local

councillors. To keep in touch with developments as they arise, go to

westwayconcern@gmail.com; www.westwayconcern.wordpress.com;

www.facebook/westwayconcern

Mary Gill, Chair

Randoms

Preventing chimney fires this winter

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service attends about 40 chimney fires

every winter. It’s important to get chimneys swept regularly by a

qualified sweep, and other measures to reduce the risk are:

• Check unused upper floor fireplaces and flues, where debris and

dust can accumulate and which may ignite

• Don’t stack logs next to the fireplace, store them outside. Wood

burners or wood fires should never be left unattended when lit

• Always protect an open fire with a guard. Make sure embers are

properly put out before you go out or go to bed

• Prevent a birds’ nest from blocking your chimney with a protective

guard on the chimney pot

• Use smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to warn of trouble.

And don’t keep this advice to yourself – pass it on. Does anyone you

know need your help in organising a sweep or testing their alarms?

For further information on home fire and wood burner safety, visit

http://www.365alive.co.uk/cms/content/safe-and-warm

Botley Women’s Institute

The speaker at our meeting on 5th February will be Muriel Pilkington, on

“The Burford Mutiny.” We also have a number of groups which you can

join: Walking group (7th February); Craft group (19 February); Music

group (20 February); Book group (27 February). Do come and join us.

Alison Jenner

Join the Big Spring Clean

Joining together in Spring Clean 2019 (1st, 2nd, 3rd March) increases

the impact we can have on our fellow citizens and the local authority. It

shows we are committed to a cleaner Botley. In 2018 just two parts of

Botley got a Spring Clean. 2nd Botley Brownies did Arnold’s Way and a

second group of public-spirited people did Elms Rise, Westminster Way

and the shops.

But what about the A34 flyover and the bank next to it? What about the

bike path up to the A420 roundabout? What about the area all around

McDonalds? What about North Hinksey Lane? If we wait for someone

else to pick up the rubbish it will never happen. But if we get together

and show the world that we take pride in our neighbourhood, people will

see it is clean and will be less likely to drop litter. Why not get together

with your neighbours and do your own street? Don’t forget to tell The

Sprout what you did. We’d love to publish photos of all your efforts. You

can register at https://www.oxclean.org.uk/spring-clean

Calling hopeful gardeners

There are now several allotments free along North Hinksey Lane,

ranging from perfect plots beautifully kept, to exciting wildernesses full

of surprises like nameless apple trees, fruit bushes in the undergrowth,

plenty of wildlife and a river running

along the bottom – and all surprisingly

cheap. Make this the year you started to

grow your own vegetables. Contact N.

Hinksey Parish Council for further info:

https://northhinksey pc.gov.uk/

Janet Godden

We said a sorrowful goodbye to Janet

Godden when she stepped down as our

County Councillor, but now that she’s

moved away from Botley, we are

missing her again as a long-serving

(and hospitable) Sprout Director. Thank

you, Janet, for those years of input.

Without you it would have been a

different story.

Not quite right!

We apologise to anyone who was inconvenienced by the publication of

the wrong service time for Christmas Day at St. Lawrence’s church in

the December Sprout. Clare Sykes, Rector

New Year’s resolutions –

make yours for the planet!

It has never been clearer – we must act urgently to tackle climate

change. Start your 2019 by making a commitment to a safe future.

Climate change needs action by governments, by businesses, by

councils and by all of us. Oxford Together on

Climate Change invites you to play your part.

https://change4climate.uk/ We invite everyone in

Oxfordshire to get together and make an impact.

We’re aiming for 10,000 actions – what will yours

be? Read more in the Oxford Mail here: New Year’s resolutions:

Environmental groups encourage green mindset More info with

updates are on our facebook page

www.facebook.com/pg/OxfordTogetheronClimateChange

Winter weather – gritting

Given the uncertainty of British weather, it is worth identifying the

nearest salt/grit bin to your house so that you can be prepared should

prolonged freezing conditions set in. The grit is for use on public roads

and pavements, not private areas such as driveways, but please

consider any elderly or infirm neighbours who might need help to

ensure safe access to and from their house during wintry conditions.

There is more information on www.oxfordshire.gov.uk, the County

Council website. A map of locations in North Hinksey Parish can also be

found on the Contacts page of the Parish Council website

www.northhinksey-pc.gov.uk . The first top-up can be requested from

the County Council, after that request further supplies from the Parish

Council, who hold a store.

David Kay

Organizations: If your organization is not listed here, please send details

to editor@thesprout.org.uk or telephone 724452 for inclusion.

1st Botley Brownies

Girls aged 7–10

Dean Court Community Centre Thur 6–7.30 Fiona

Wheeler, firstbotleybrownies@gm a il.com

2nd Botley Brownies

Girls aged 7–10

Rosary Room, Yarnells Hill. Tues 6:15-7:45 Alison

Griffin 2ndbotleybrownies@outlook.com

4th Oxford Scout Group

Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts

Scout Hall, Arnolds Way; mail@thefourth.org.uk

Website: http://www.thefourth.org.uk/

15th Oxford Scout Group

Boys and girls welcome

Meet Fridays, Botley Baptist Hall Contact: Julie Tatham

01865 863074 or Amy Cusden 07887 654386

Baby & Toddler Group

Tues/Thurs 9.15–11 , SS Peter & Paul Church Hall

Badminton Club

Thurs 7-8pm at Matthew Arnold Sports Hall. Garry Clark

0777 3559 314 garryclark13@gmail.com

Books on Wheels R.V.S.

Free Library Service for housebound Ox. 248142

Botley Boys & Girls F.C.

Football teams from ages 8-16

Jason Barley Ox. 242926 jbarley1@ sky.com or

Brendan Byrne 792531 brendan.byrne999@gmail.com

Botley Health Walks

Wednesday 9.30 a.m Contact: Briony 246497

Botley Library

01865 248142. Open till 7 on Friday and 1pm on Sat,

otherwise 9.30 to 5.30 (closed Wednesdays).

Botley Singers

Thur 7.30, St Andrew’s Church, Dean Court. Angela

Astley-Penny Ox.242189 angastpen@aol.com

Branches Café, Westway

Place, Open to All 8am-3pm,

Open for young people 3 -5 daily, Th. eves 7–9

Te l : 0 1 8 6 5 25 111 5 www.branchesyouth.uk Facebook

Branches Youth Cafe, Instagram @_branches_youth_

Community Fridge

For all. Put food in, take food out. Ss P&P church, Mon–

Sat 9–5, Sun 11 –5. Riki Therivel 07759 135811

Cumnor Choral Society

Friday 7.30 to 9.30 pm Contact: 01235 533726 or

07552 786127 or www.cumnorchoral.co.uk

Cumnor Chess Club

Thurs 7–9pm Cumnor Old School. Steven Bennett

862788 www.cumnorchessclub.co.uk

Cumnor & District Historical

Society

Last Monday of the month 7.30-9.00 Cumnor Old

School. 01865 724808

Cumnor Gardening Club

Details on website at http://cumnorgardens.org.uk/ or

phone Chris Impey, 01865 721026

Harmony InSpires, Ladies'

Acappella Singing Group

Wed 7.30 at Appleton village hall. C. Casson 01235

831352 or harmonyinspires@hotmail.co.uk

Hill End Volunteer Team

Contact: David Millin on david.millin@hill-end.org, call

01865-863510 or visit www.hillend-oec.co.uk

Let’s Sing! – singing group

Weds 2pm, WOCC, details Emily 07969 522368

or email emformusic@outlook.com

Morris Dancing – Cry Havoc

Barbara Brett 249599 or bag@cryhavoc.org.uk

Mum and Baby Yoga for

babies from 6 wks to crawling

Mondays 10.30 at Dean Court CC, contact Jacqueline

Rice via https://yogawithjacqueline.co.uk

North Hinksey Preschool

and Childcare Clubs

Mon–Fri 7.45am –6.00 pm. 01865 794287 or email

nhps.manager1@gmail.com

N Hinksey Art Group

Weds 10 – 12.00 W.I. Hall Tel: Christina 07931 707997

N Hinksey Bellringers

Contact: Ray Rook 01865 241451

N Hinksey Conservation

Volun t eers

Meets at weekends. Contact Voirrey Carr

07798743121 voirreyc@aol.com

N Hinksey, Friends of

Annual Cricket Match & Walk. Douglas Bond 791213.

N Hinksey Horticultural Soc

Contact: Ann Dykes Ox 251821 anndykes@hotmail.com

N Hinksey Parish Council

Alan Stone 01865 861992 nhpcclerk@msn.com

N Hinksey Youth Club

Wednesdays at Arnold's Way pavilion, call Daz on

07791 212866 or see Facebook

Over Sixties Lunch Club

Every other Thursday. Seacourt Hall. Viv Smith 01865

241539 or Jackie Warner 01865 721386

Oxford Flood Alliance

R Thurston 01865 723663 or 07973 292035

Oxford Flower Arranging Club

4th Thursday Cumnor. Dympna Walker: 01865 865259

Oxford Otters

Swimming for people with disabilities. Sundays, twice

monthly. Contact: Alan Cusden 723420

Oxford Rugby Club

Boys and girls from 5, kevin.honner@ntlworld.com

Seniors, training etc jbrodley@chandlings.org.uk.

Oxford Sports Lawn Tennis

Club, N Hinksey

Family club: Melanie Riste 848658 or

melanie_riste@hotmail.com

Parkinson’s Disease Soc

Contact: Pen Keyte, Branch Secretary 01865 556032.

Raleigh Park, Friends of

David Brown raleighpark@raleigh park .org.uk

West Way Day Centre

Mon & Fri 10–3pm, Field House, 07740 611971.

oxfordshirehub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Saturdads

Botley Bridges

Fun activities and trips for Dads and under 5’s

10 am–noon 1st Sat of month. Tel: 243955

Seacourt Hall management

committee

Contact: Michael Cockman 07766 317691

michael.cockman@gmail.com.

Shotokan Karate club

6+ WOCC twice weekly Martyn King 07836 646450

Weight Watchers

Thursdays 6pm at SS Peter & Paul Church Hall Banso

tel: 07779 253899 bansob@aol.com

West Oxford Bowls Club

Contact details on www.westoxfordbowlsclub.co.uk

West Oxford Taekwon Do

Club

Mon, Thurs 6.30-8pm, MA gym, contact Chris Hall

07815 899698 www.wotkd.co.uk

West Oxford U3A

(Uni of the 3rd Age) http://westoxfordu3a.org.uk/

Women’s Institute (Botley)

Liz Manson, 244175 email liz.manson@virgin media.com

Halls for Hire

Botley Baptist Hall

Westminster Way

Contact: Rev Kalyan Das

Te l . 07841 867967

The Rosary Room

Yarnells Hill, OXFORD

Contact Maria Brown,

Te l : 0 1 8 6 5 2 4 7 9 8 6 .

SS Peter & Paul Church Hall,

West Way, Botley

Contact: Mr M Shearan

Te l : 862748

Women's Institute Hall,

North Hinksey Lane

Contact: Val Warner

Te l . 245273

Seacourt Hall, West Way

Place, Botley

Contact: Eric Batts 07452 960100 or

seacourt.hall@gmail.com

Pavilion, Arnold’s Way, Elms

Rise, Botley

Contact: Emmett Casley 427519

emmett@kerensagardens.co.uk

Oxford Rugby Club, North

Hinksey Village

Contact: Mary Bagnall

mary.bagnall1@btinternet.com.

North Hinksey & Botley Churches

Times of Services and Contacts

St. Lawrence, Church of England, North Hinksey Lane

1st, 2nd, 4th Sunday, Sung Eucharist 11 . 3 0 a.m.

3rd Sunday, Matins 11.30 am

St. Peter and St. Paul, Church of England, West Way

2nd Saturday each Month, 4–6pm Messy Church for children and their carers

1st Sunday of the Month, 9.30am All Age service of Holy Communion

All other Sundays, 9.30am Holy Communion with activities for children

Every Wednesday, 10.30am Holy Communion at Field House

Rev Clare Sykes, Rector Tel: 242345 or revclare@btinterne t.com

Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Roman Catholic, Yarnells Hill

Saturday 6.30 pm. Mass

Sunday 9.15 am Mass

Fr Daniel Lloyd. 07584 323915 dlloyd@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.

Botley Baptist Church, West Way Place

Sunday Service 10.30 am.

Mid Week House Group 8.00 p.m.

Family Worship Service 5-6pm on Saturday

Rev Kalyan Das 07841 867 967 www.botleybaptistchurch.org

Calvary Chapel

Sunday services held at Botley School 10.30–12 noon

Pastor Philip Vickery 01865 864498

calvarychapeloxford@yahoo.co.uk;

www.calvarychapeloxford.org.uk

Sprout – What’s On

February

Wed 6th 7.30, Kennington Village Hall, health talk by Dr MacEwan:

‘Cancer, reduce the risk’

Sat 9th 4–6pm, Ss Peter and Paul Church, Messy church (theme

‘messy friends’)

Mon 11th Ss Peter and Paul church, linocuts by Emmett Casley,

continues till 11th April

Fri 15th 10–12pm, White Hart, Wytham, district councillor surgery for

N Hinksey, Wytham, S Hinksey and Sunningwell

Thurs 21st 10am–2pm Winter Bird Event for children aged 4–11, bird

activity trail, nature themed activities

Thurs 21st 8pm, Seacourt Hall, North Hinksey Parish Council meeting

March

1st to 3rd Big Clean Up, all around Botley

Sat 16th 10-12pm, Branches Café (above Library), District Councillors

Surgery

Thurs 21st 7pm, Seacourt Hall, NHPC Annual Parish Meeting

More local events and information on www.botleyhinksey.org.uk